I have heard a lot about this film. I remember it screening in our local "art" outlet. I remember it getting some notice in the award ceremonies of its time. What is this all about? I found the film genuinely offensive on two levels. First, the sentimentalization of the period with soft lighting and chummy relationships among the segregated gender groups, a la Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, was preposterous. It was preposterous when it was on TV too. "The Honeymooners" was always a more accurate portrayal of life in the 50's. Along with this insult to the intelligence of someone who actually lived in the 50's among the working immigrant classes in multifamily housing, I was subjected to the blatant class-conscious condescension of the writer, whom I see riding through L.A. in a white convertible German car. I found the film's handling of racism quite accurate. However, the message was made lame by the bumbling messenger. I think the people who made this film should get out more and talk to the people they are trying to portray, up close and personal.
Review of Two Family House
